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Chris Olsen - Owner/Master Designer

Landscape Designer Chris H. Olsen attended Oxford University in England, studying landscape architecture, landscape principals, and philosophy and also graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in business. Chris has over 25 years of landscape architecture and interior design experience. In partnership with his father, Chris obtained a landscape maintenance company called Doramus and established the Horticare Landscape Company. After only ten years, the company grew into five divisions: chemical, maintenance, landscape, nursery, and irrigation. In 2003, Chris opened his second home and garden store called Botanica Gardens on Rebsamen Park Road. In September of 2005, Chris chose to pursue other endeavors in his life and sold Horticare.

Chris is now working solely at Botanica and working as the master designer. Chris has been active in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation—designing and installing the landscape for the "Build for a Cure" Projects in Little Rock and the first "Build for Cure" house in the United States. In addition, he is active in the Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Heart Association, Wildwood of Performing Arts, the Hope Foundation, Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, and the Arkansas Lung Association, to just name a few. Chris' design works have been featured in several of the Symphony Design Houses, At Home in Arkansas, The Arkansas Times, AY Magazine, Health and Living, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Real Living Magazine, Soirée, Inviting Arkansas, the Abode Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, and several times in Better Homes and Gardens. Chris is a regular contributing writer for the Arkansas Gardener Magazine and At Home Arkansas. He writes with flair, wit and a bit of humor. He has also written for the Fine Gardening Magazine. Chris was also featured in Arkansas Business 40 fewer than 40, representing businesspeople that are on the move in their respective fields.

While working at Horticare and currently at Botanica Gardens, Chris's exceptional designs were the recipient for the People's Choice Award and numerous other honors at the Arkansas Garden Show for over 10 years running. Outstanding use of color is a trademark of Chris' talents. Chris dares to be different with his unique designs. He has been associated with KTHV Channel 11, where he is featured on the morning, noon, and evening home and garden segments in the Weather Garden. He has been a part of this team for over 12 years Chris has his own weekly segments called "Today's Home" with Chris Olsen. Never sitting still, Chris also appears in "Arkansas Living: Holiday Style with Chris Olsen". Prior to his work at Channel 11, Chris was featured on Arkansas View on KKYK WB22. Besides just TV, Chris has years experience on radio as well.

You can keep up with Chris on his website, chrisholsen.com, his monthly blog in At Home Magazine and face book. Chris is currently going national with his personality and talents. His new book called "Five Seasons with Chris Olsen" will be out in December of 2011. You can pre-order the book today!

Cyndi Hansen: Store Designer and Interior Designer

Cyndi came to us after years of being with Leisure Arts in Little Rock. She is an interior designer and stages displays throughout our store. She does awesome live floral and silk arrangements. Cyndi also does a fabulous job with Christmas decorating for all Botanica's holiday homes and events. Cyndi is a well known artist and photographer. You can purchase some of her work right here at Botanica Gardens. Don't let her good looks fool you, this hard worker will roll up her sleeves armed with a glue gun and paint brush an idea, and wreak havoc. Cyndi has conceived some of the most beautiful displays that always bring forth a smile. Thanks to Cyndi for making Botanica Gardens such a show place and a wonderful place to shop.

MEET THE BOTANICA STAFF . . .

Pat Isbell: Nursery Manager

What keeps the garden center looking great and running smoothly is Pat. She is the nursery and office manager. Somebody has to keep Chris in line and she does her job well. Pat is very sharp, determined, persistent, and a tough business person. She is also very sweet. Pat obtained a Business Degree from the University of Central Arkansas and retired after 27 years with SBC/Cingular Wireless. Pat assists in running the day to day operations, customer relations and billing, as well as helping with custom pot design. Pat is the momma to our shop mascot Izzy. She says she is retired, but not anymore thanks to Chris…..Botanica would not be the same without our Momma Pat as the staff at Botanica calls her so affectingly.

Doug Roberts: Sales and Outdoor Garden Manager

Doug Roberts has been with Botanica Gardens for almost a year, after returning home to Little Rock from a 21 year stay in Washington, D.C. Doug has enjoyed a career spanning over 18 years ranging from Asst. Crew Chief on commercial projects thru Site Superintendent on a $1.7M garden for the South Korean Ambassadorial Residence and Residential Designer for numerous homes in the D.C. Metro area. Doug is currently the Asst Master Gardener at Botanica Gardens and manages the outside nursery.
When asked about what his thoughts were on Botanica and why he felt Botanica was where he wanted to bring his level of expertise here is what he said:

"At Botanica Gardens, they want to be the first destination in your search for unique and specimen plants. Working with Chris is an exciting opportunity for me and will bring new exposure to the Master Gardener Designs of the future. This year's focus at Botanica, as far as the garden displays, will include native plants for butterflies and hummingbirds, hardy Camellias, and potted Lotus as design features, along with our ever-changing great selection of the unusual."

Angie Sunderman: Sales and Design Associate

Angie came to us from another local garden center and has really added alot to our store. She has obtained an Art Degree with a Masters in education at UALR. Angie is totally in charge of the indoor section of our great store and is one of our top designers in potted containers and silk arrangements. A personal relationship with art, love of plants, and our customers is what makes Angie crucial to Botanica Gardens.

Joe Church: Sales and General Operations

Joe has become so important to the everyday operations of our store. He definitely is a multi-tasker. He opens the store, waters all outdoor plants, our number one truck driver and deliver person, is a great salesperson and even works sometimes on our landscape crews. You can call him "Jo Jo" as Chris calls him. Joe has become our "go-to" man for everything we do here. He even helps out on our Christmas crew and has earned the honorable name of "Glitter Boy two". Chris is "Glitter Boy" number one…

Ferdrico Martinez- Irrigation, Landscape and Lighting Expert

Federico is one hard worker. He is an on the job foreman who loves to work along side his landscape crew. He is extremely knowledgeable in irrigation and equally in lighting. Federico runs the crew that does all this and so much more. He also installs most of our hardscapes such as retaining walls, patios, and stone or brick columns and fencing. Extremely conscientious, Federico is a major asset to the Botanica's landscape team.

Vicki Henderson and Nina Davis- Maintenance Crew Managers

If you want to keep your landscape looking its best, then you need to hire Botanica Gardens to maintain your investment. Vicki and Nina are masters in making your yard look like a beautiful paradise all year long. With years experience, this crew is the best in Arkansas. Trained by Chris Olsen over the past 18 years, Vicki and Nina are the only maintenance crew that Chris trusts with his own yard. Besides mowing and blowing, this crew specializes in the details. From seasonal color design and installation to trimming your trees and shrubs, and weeding your flowerbeds, these master artists are simply the best.